Maine FD receives $102K grant to boost EMS training and equipment

By Sydney Richelieu
Portland Press Herald

BIDDEFORD, Maine — Biddeford City Council last week authorized the Biddeford Fire Department to accept a $102,698 grant from the Maine EMS Sustainability Program.

The funding is the second part of a two-part grant applied for by former Assistant Fire Chief Edward Dexter. Last year, the funding was used for training and purchasing capital EMS equipment for the department, Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best said.

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“We invested a lot of training in our members,” Best said.

Some of the funding was allocated toward sending firefighters to EMS school, which Best said is “helpful.”

“It helps to have additional paramedics here in the city,” he said. “Those are the kinds of things we can use these funds for.”

This year, Best hopes to use some of the grant money to purchase simulation training equipment for his department.

Council President Liam LaFountain said the grant money is a positive thing for the city.

“It’s always great to have extra funds to provide for the department,” LaFountain said.

The Saco Fire Department also recently received a grant. Earlier this month, the department was awarded a $14,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation to purchase a fire training hose prop, that officials said will significantly enhance the department’s fire training capabilities and preparedness.

According to Saco Fire Chief David Hamel, the hose prop is a vital tool that simulates real-life scenarios for firefighters, allowing them to practice critical skills in a safe and controlled environment.

The new equipment will allow the fire department to conduct more effective training sessions, Hamel said, ensuring the team is better prepared to respond to emergencies in the community.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation for their generous support,” Hamel said. “This grant will allow us to improve our training programs and ultimately provide a higher level of service and safety to the citizens of Saco .”
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